Twenty-five Harriers kicked off the 2024 racing season in three events over the weekend, writes Des White.

In the Walter Raleigh Round events (1/3 Marathon & 1/2 Marathon), runners visited the birthplace of Sir Walter Raleigh and the countryside where he spent time as a child. The route included quiet back lanes, unsurfaced county roads, little known footpaths, the Otter valley, High Peak, the Jurassic Coast and a dismantled railway. The race started and finished in Budleigh Salterton.

Mac McNaghten was the only Harrier to run in the 1/3 Marathon and at the age of 60, he excelled by coming in as the first finisher overall in 1.06.32.

Sam Kelly ran another superb race, finishing in first place overall in 1.25.29, more than seven minutes ahead of the second finisher. Dave Stone was the next Harrier to finish in seventh place in 1.42.39, followed by Adrian Barton in 24th in 2.00.11, Ben Shaw in 27th in 2.02.15, Scott Jordan in 41st in 2.08.55, Neil Clarke in 51st in 2.16.06 and our only Lady Harrier to take part, Nicola Kelly, finished in 81st place in 2.32.02.

Jon Mill took advantage of being in New York on business to take part in the NYCRUNS Frozen Penguin 5K in Central Park. Jon says it was really freezing cold with some slushy sleet. He battled through to place 27th overall and was 7th in the M40-49 age group with a great time of 21:03 and the bonus of a great array of bagels at the finish.

The Harriers were well represented in the First Chance 10km around Exeter Riverside Valley Park, with Alice Kelly winning the women’s race in 36.15.

After the finish of the First Chance 10km, the awards were presented for the 2023 Devon Instep Championship (13 qualifying races in East Devon in 12 months). Exmouth Harriers finished in second place (to South West Road Runners) in both the Female and Male team competitions.

In the individual competition, Harriers had three winners; Cathy Newman won the W55-64 age group, Alison White won the W65-74 age group and Oli White took the overall Men’s Individual award, plus the Senior Men’s age group.

Exmouth Journal: Harriers before the start of the First Chance 10km in Exeter